UTSA Criminal Justice hosts city, county reps

(April 2, 2009)--The UTSA Department of Criminal Justice and the College of Public Policy will welcome city and county officials and civic organization leaders to a community breakfast Monday, April 6. The meeting of criminal justice and public service professionals will foster opportunities for UTSA to collaborate on research, internships and other mutually beneficial relationships.

The Department of Criminal Justice community breakfast is one of 12 proposals approved this spring as part of the UTSA Provost's Core Values Initiative. The initiative is designed to foster UTSA's core values of integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation. Roger Enriquez, UTSA associate professor and graduate director of the master's program in justice policy, submitted the proposal as a reflection of the core values of collaboration and innovation.

"The time is now," said Enriquez. "We are working with all sectors of the community to find innovative solutions to the problems that plague the criminal justice system."

Formally titled "Achieving Research Excellence and Fostering Collaborations in San Antonio: An Opportunity for Innovation," members of the criminal justice faculty will conduct presentations on the department's previous collaborations with the Texas Legislative Budget Board, National Institute of Justice and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Faculty members also will present upcoming projects including innovative programs such as youth courts, peer mentoring and gang intervention.

Enriquez said, "Ultimately, we would like to take this opportunity to reach our key stakeholders and establish a criminal justice advisory board to build a lasting relationship to learn from one another."

>> Faculty members interested in the core values initiative for fall 2009 can submit proposals (through the deans' and vice provost offices) to Terry Wilson at (210) 458-4110. Eligible to receive up to $1,500 in funding, proposals can include workshops, performances or programs highlighting any of the six characteristics listed in the UTSA Core Values Initiative. The deadline for funding consideration for fall 2009 programs is Sept. 1.